Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will forgo his trip to Washington in January to meet U.S. President Barack Obama because schedules are tight for both sides, Japanese government sources said Monday.
Noda, who became prime minister in September, had hoped to visit the U.S. capital before the Diet opens for the new year. The two allies have not held a formal leadership summit since the Democratic Party of Japan, now headed by Noda, swept to power in September 2009.
The meeting was canceled because of scheduling problems with both leaders' agendas in early 2012, the sources said, adding that it will likely be delayed until next spring or even later. (Japan Times)
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